System and method for data usage management in an electronic device

ABSTRACT

A system and method for data usage management in an electronic device is provided. The method includes tracking an estimated cost of a download in a currency set by a user, determining the estimated cost of the download in the currency set by the user, displaying the estimated cost of the download, determining application data usage, implementing notifications of the data usage, and displaying the data usage, wherein a widget or an application is used to display the data usage.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to an IndianPatent Application filed on Oct. 4, 2013 in the Indian Patent Office andassigned Serial No. 2960/DEL/2013, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a system and method for datausage management in an electronic device, and more particularly, to asystem and method for providing enhanced control over estimate andoverall cost and consumption of data in electronic devices.

2. Description of the Related Art

Today is an era of smart phone wired or wireless devices such as, butnot limited to, tablets, phablets, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs),touch phones, feature phones, wearable computing devices, handhelddevices, flexible devices, etc. As the usage of smart phone devicesincreases so does the uses of associated technology such as, but notlimited to, Internet surfing, web chatting, instant messaging, etc.Also, there are certain applications which run in the background.However, a user of the device is mostly unaware of the data usage of thevarious applications or technologies which are running. The effect ofthis lack of awareness is that the user has to bear the additional costof the data download.

There are several ways in which the user can identify the data usage,like using the “data usage” setting in the Android devices. However,these are all limited to the fact that the usage is shown in the form ofdata units, like MBs (Megabytes) or in GBs (Gigabytes) or the like. Theuser is more concerned about the cost of the data used and is lessconcerned with the technical terms of the data units.

A conventional solution describes a system and method of providing anotification to the mobile device when the thresholds of certainvariables are reached. However, notification is only for the thresholdreached.

The prior art does not give the user a firsthand experience where he caninstantaneously check his data usage nor does it give the user theflexibility to check the data usage in the form of a currency of hischoice. The present invention describes a system and method to provide auser with the flexibility to check the data usage by the incurred cost.

SUMMARY

The present invention has been made to address at least the problems anddisadvantages described above, and to provide at least the advantagesdescribed below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is toprovide a system and a method for helping a user to save costs byproviding enhanced control over data costs and data usage in mobiledevices.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a system andmethod to show estimated cost by enabling people to view the price theywill have to pay for consuming content before, after and duringdownloading of the data or streaming content.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a system andmethod that will provide a notification to a user when certainthresholds have been reached or exceeded or about to be exceeded as setby user, relating to data consumption in the form of data usagenotifications for a particular time period such as but not limited todaily notification, monthly notification, etc. to keep track and managethe data usage by the user. It also provides a system and method thatwill allow a user to set restrictions on data usage and downloading.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a system andmethod to track the download expenses in currency set by the user suchas but not limited to local currency, currency of a foreign country,etc., as data usage in data units is not understood by users andbudgeting in terms of money is easier rather than data units.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides widgets orapplications and data displays for monitoring data cost for a timeperiod.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a system andmethod to provide data handover on roaming.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an Applicationdata usage indication is provided which allows the users to view theamount of data being consumed in indicator area, while accessing theapplication.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method for datausage management in an electronic device is provided. The methodincludes tracking an estimated cost of a download in a currency set by auser, determining the estimated cost of the download in the currency setby the user, displaying the estimated cost of the download, determiningapplication data usage, implementing notifications of the data usage,and displaying the data usage, wherein a widget or an application isused to display the data usage.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method fordata handover on roaming in a multi-SIM phone is provided. The methodincludes switching data services to a non-roaming SIM from a roamingSIM, when a non-roaming SIM data preference is set prior to themulti-SIM phone moving from a non-roaming area to a roaming area, andswitching data services to the non roaming SIM from the roaming SIM,when the SIM is in a roaming area and the non-roaming SIM datapreference is set after the multi-SIM phone is moved to the roamingarea.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a system fordata usage management in an electronic device is provided. The systemincludes a cost estimation unit configured to determine an estimatedcost of a download before, after and during downloading of data, anotification generation unit configured to display notifications andrestrict data usage, when a threshold is reached, a widget configured tographically represent the data usage, and an application data usage unitconfigured to determine application data usage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainembodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are block diagrams illustrating a data usage managementsystem, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates screens for viewing the estimated cost whendownloading content, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 illustrates screens for setting data usage notifications by theuser, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A illustrates a screen for a widget or an application fordisplaying data usage, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5B is a flowchart illustrating a widget used for comparing a dataplan limit with current data usage, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of data handover on roamingin a multi-SIM phone, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a cost estimation unit, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a notification generation unit,according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a handover unit, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention and the various features andadvantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings. Descriptions of well-known components andprocessing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure theembodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely tofacilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein canbe practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practicethe embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not beconstrued as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are block diagrams illustrating a data usage managementsystem, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a system for monitoring a mobile communicationdevice is provided. The system provides enhanced control over overallcost and consumption of data in a mobile device by providing an estimateof the cost of a download before, after and during downloading of thedata.

The system 10 includes a Data Usage Management System (DUMS) unit 11, auser input unit 12, output unit 13, a network interface unit 14, and ahandover unit 15, wherein all the units are bidirectional units and areconnected to a common system bus. The system gives output based on theinput given by user.

The handover unit 15 is for switching data services in multi-SIM phonesfrom roaming SIM to non-roaming SIM. A roaming SIM is a SIM which isoutside of the home network i.e., a SIM whose connectivity service isextended in a location that is different from the home location, thatis, the location where the service was registered. On the other hand,the home SIM or non-roaming SIM is a SIM whose connectivity service isinside the home network or inside a particular boundary where the SIM isregistered. Data handover is the process of transferring the dataservices from one SIM to another SIM, i.e., from a roaming SIM to a homeSIM or non roaming SIM.

The handover unit of the system of present invention further includesmeans for reading SIM data preference setting; means for checkingcurrent data subscription of the SIM; means for switching the dataservices to other SIM; and means for enabling data services.

Referring to FIG. 2, a Data Usage Management System unit 11 of thesystem 10 is provided. The system includes a cost estimation unit 16, asize calculator 17, an application data usage unit 18, a notificationgeneration unit 19, a widget controller 20, a cost database 21, a timeperiod estimator 22, a DUMS memory 23, a display controller interface24, and a user input interface 25.

The cost estimation unit 16 is for cost estimation of the downloadbefore, after and during downloading of the data. The cost estimationunit 16 further includes means for calculating the size of a selectedfile, means for reading cost details from settings, means for estimatingcost, and a display unit for viewing the estimated cost.

The notification generation unit 19 is for displaying notifications andrestricting data usage, when a threshold is reached. The notificationgeneration unit 19 further includes means for calculating data usagethreshold; means for checking data usage by reading consumed data usagedetails from a radio and/or network interface; means for showingnotifications; and means for restricting data usage based on athreshold.

The display controller interface 24 is for displaying a widget or anapplication and data displays for graphical representation of consumeddata,

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system and methodprovides a user with an option to track and control individualapplications so that they do not consume data in the background andduring, but not limited to, roaming. The system and method of thepresent invention gives users a reminder to switch to a Home network fordata usage.

The system of the present invention shows the details of data usage in acurrency set by the user. The user is shown the estimated cost and ifthe user thinks the cost is too high he can schedule the download for alater time when another type of data communication channel, such as butnot limited to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc, is available. The user may chooseto share this download cost with people nearby using a separate DataPooling application. The user may also decide to add this file to a wishlist and download it later.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the user is givennotification when the user is about to exceed a data limit. This willhelp the user to control the usage such as on a daily and monthly basis.The user can set the threshold for the notification generation. A widgeton the home screen notifies the user by changing color, such as but notlimited to, by becoming red when the threshold is reached. This keepsthe user conscious of his data usage. The notification can be in otherforms also such as, but not limited to, a vibration alert, a popup, awarning, etc.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an option isprovided to restrict certain applications from using mobile data during,but not limited to, roaming. This helps in saving data cost incurred byapplications while roaming.

In multi-SIM phones, the system and the method of the present inventiongives users the reminder to switch to a Home network for data usage.This applies when the user has multiple SIMs, at least one in homenetwork and other roaming networks, and when the user is using theroaming network for data usage. It enables the user to restrictbackground data for certain applications. This ensures that applicationdo not consume heavy data without the user's acknowledgement.

The system and the method of the present invention track and controlindividual applications so that they do not consume data in thebackground and also during roaming. It helps in tracking downloadexpenses in the currency set by the user such as, but not limited to,local currency, currency of foreign country, etc. A widget gives easyvisualization of data consumed. It also gives a quick access to controldata.

The present invention shows the usage details in a widget for easymonitoring and control. It enables the user to set his/her data plan andcustomize applications accordingly.

The system and the method of the present invention helps the user tosave costs via easy data management by the use of data usage meters suchas, but not limited to, a surfing meter, a data download meter, a dataestimation meter, etc.

FIG. 3 illustrates screens for viewing the estimated cost whendownloading content, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the system provides data cost set by user per KB orper MB or in any other data unit. When the user downloads any content,the data usage cost will be calculated as Equation (1):Estimated Cost=(File Size(KBs or MBs or GBs)*data rate(per KB/MB/GB))  (1)

Without departing from the scope of the invention, this estimated costcan be further rounded off to two decimal digits for the convenience ofuser.

Viewing the estimated cost involves selecting a file to download,calculating the file size in KBs or per MBs or in any other data unit,by a browser reading data cost details from a user defined setting, andcalculating the estimated cost for downloading.

FIG. 4 illustrates screens for setting data usage notifications by theuser, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4 a screen is shown for setting the data usagenotification such as daily/monthly/weekly/quarterly/etc. by the user.

Based on a monthly limit, a daily limit will be calculated. And then theuser can set a daily data usage notification. When the daily data usagelimit is crossed, notification will be displayed to the user. The dailydata usage notification will protect the user from the cost of excessdownloads in case of prorated data usage calculation.

A sample calculation for daily notifications is shown in Equation (2):Daily Data Usage Limit=Monthly Limit/30Set daily notification<=Daily Data usage Limit   (2)

The same calculation can be implemented for setting notifications forother time periods such as, but not limited to daily, monthly, quarterlyand annually, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Implementing the data usage notifications includes setting data usagelimits and notifications, reading consumed data usage details from radioand/or network interface and calling a framework Application ProgrammingInterface (API) to notify the user, if the data usage exceeds thethreshold set by the user.

FIG. 5A illustrates a screen of a widget or an application fordisplaying data usage, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 5A, a widget, which is a graphical representation ofthe data consumed is shown. The widget is represented by a circle, wherethe entire circle represents the data limit. A green area of the widgetrepresents the data consumed within a data warning range. Once thewarning range is reached, the green area is replaced by a red area and anotification is generated. The colors mentioned may be different as perthe user's choice or may be system defined without departing from thescope of the invention.

Once the entire area has been filled with red, it indicates that thedata limit has been reached and a notification is generated from thenetwork layer.

The widget periodically checks for the data consumed on A network suchas, but not limited to, a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, a Bluetoothnetwork, etc., for a given data cycle and compares the consumed datawith data warning values or a threshold. The widget applies a red circleat a calculated index, if the consumed value exceeds the data warningvalue and applies a green circle at a calculated index, if the consumedvalue does not exceed the data warning value.

The widget periodically checks for the data consumed on the network fora given data cycle. The widget then calculates the index (0 to 15) forthe appropriate circles from the list of either green circles or redcircles.

The widget then compares the consumed data with the data warning values.If the consumed data exceeds the data warning values, the red circle isapplied at the calculated index; otherwise, the green circle is applied.

FIG. 5B is a flowchart illustrating a widget used for comparing a dataplan limit with current data usage, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 5B, in step 201, the widget checks the data planlimit. In step 202, the current data usage is checked. In step 203,depending upon the result the red or green circle is displayed as thewidget. If the data usage exceeds the data plan, the red circle isdisplayed. If the data usage does not exceed the data plan, the greencircle is displayed.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of data handover on roamingin a multi-SIM phone, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 6, a data handover on roaming in a multi-SIM phone isshown. If one SIM is moved from a home area to a roaming area, dataservices will be switched to another home SIM, provided a roaming statussetting (KEY_DATA_ROAMING_STATUS) is set to true. If one SIM is alreadyin roaming and the user then checks a setting for the home SIM datapreference, the data services will be switched to another home SIM. Thismeans that if the setting was turned on after moving to a roaming area,then the functionality would work.

As shown in FIG. 6, in step 101, the SIM data preference setting, N, isread. In step 102, the SIM data preference setting, N, is compared withthe roaming status setting. If the SIM data preference setting is set toroaming, then in step 103, the current data subscription of the SIM ischecked. In step 104, if the current data subscription SIM is a roamingSIM, the data services will be switched to another SIM, i.e. to homenetwork SIM. If the SIM data preference setting, in step 102, is notroaming or if the current data subscription SIM is a home SIM, then instep 105, data services are enabled.

The application data usage unit 18 determines application data usagewhen an application launches. In this case, the framework will broadcastthe launched application package detail and the data usage detail willbe obtained based on an application ID (appID) from a Radio InterfaceLayer (RIL) and the user will be notified of the usage.

The system of the present invention will identify the applicationlaunched by using its application ID (appID). The system then queriesthe INetworkStatsSession class (provided by the network layer) for thedata consumed by the all of the applications for a given cycle, which isgiven in the form ofNetworkStats[INetworkStatsSession.getSummaryForAllUid (NetworkTemplate,startDate, endDate, boolean)]. The system then iterates the NetworkStatfor each NetworkStats.Entry and compares the appID for the desiredapplication. Once the desired NetworkStats.Entry is found, the dataconsumed is calculated for the given application using Equation (3).(NetworkStats.Entry.rxBytes+NetworkStats.Entry+txBytes)   (3)

Based on the calculation a notification with the data consumed by acurrently launched application may or may not be generated in theNotification Panel.

Without departing from the scope of the invention, the network could bea LAN, a WAN, a MAN, a MANET, Wi-Fi, a Bluetooth, a peer-to-peer, or thelike which are known in the art.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a cost estimation unit, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the cost estimation unit 16 is provided, whereinmeans for calculating the size of a selected file 161, means for readingcost details from settings 162, means for estimating cost 164 and adisplay unit for viewing the estimated cost 165 are all connected to aCost Estimation Unit (CEU) controller 163.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a notification generation unit,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8 the notification generation unit 19 is provided,wherein means for calculating data usage threshold 191, means forchecking data usage 192, means for showing notifications 194, and meansfor restricting data usage based on a threshold 195 are all connected toa Notification Generation (NG) controller 193.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a handover unit, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9 the handover unit 15 is provided, wherein means forreading SIM data preference setting 151, means for checking current datasubscription of the SIM 154, means for switching to another SIM 155, andmeans for enabling data services 152 are all connected to a HandoverUnit (HU) controller 153.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the complete flowcan be divided into several steps:

1. Configure the Data Usage Meter.

Set a data plan—Data to be used in a month in Kilobyte, Megabytes orGiga Bytes or any other data unit. Set the cost of this data and definethe currency. Set a desired threshold for showing notification. Selectapplications for which background data should always be restricted orcan be provided based on user preferences. Select applications torestrict background data on roaming or can be provided based on userpreferences.

2. Data Usage Meter Widget.

Enable data usage meter widget. The widget can be placed on a homescreen, however it is not mandatory.

3. After Configuration.

A user will be able to see a notification whenever he is about todownload any file. The notification will display the estimated cost ofdownload (based on the plan set by user during configuration). The usercan decide to download the file right away or decide to schedule it tobe downloaded later when another type of data communication channel,such as, but not limited to, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc., is available. Ifthe user selects the download later option, the file will be downloadedautomatically when another type of data communication channel, such asbut not limited to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc., is connected. The user willreceive a notification when the threshold value for data has beenreached for a time period, such as in a day or in a month. Applicationsfor which background data has been restricted will not be consuming anydata when running in background. When the user is in roaming networks,applications restricted for roaming will not access any data in theroaming network.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the estimation ofcost is shown before the cost is actually incurred to help the user inmaking an informed decision. Knowing the details of data consumed in thecurrency set by the user helps in a better understanding of the costsincurred. There is an option to schedule the download on another type ofdata communication channel, such as but not limited to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth,etc., to save costs. Constant monitoring of data helps in making thebest of the data available. Warning notifications may be customized asper the user's choice or could be system default as provided with thewidget. Data costs are reduced by restricting data usage of certainapplications running in the background and in roaming.

The method of an embodiment of the present invention helps in trackingdownload expenses in the currency set by user. The method shows theusage details in a widget or an application and data is displayed foreasy monitoring and control. The method enables a user to set his/herdata plan and customize an application accordingly. The data usage meterwidget gives easy visualization of data consumed. The method also givesa quick access to control data consumption.

According to an embodiment of the present invention an estimate of thecost of download before, after and during downloading of the data isshown. A user can check the estimated cost for download and decide todownload now or later. User can also chose to select whether to downloadcontent from cellular data communication network or by another type ofdata network as per the estimated cost. It always shows the details ofdata usage in the currency set by user and it provides an option torestrict certain applications from using mobile data during, but notlimited to, roaming. This helps in saving data cost incurred byapplications in roaming.

In multi-SIM phones, the method of the present invention gives users areminder or notification to switch to a home network for data usage.This applies when the user has multiple SIMs, one in the home networkand others in the roaming network and when the user is using the roamingnetwork for data usage.

The system of the present invention enables the user to restrictbackground data for certain applications. This ensures that applicationdo not consume heavy data without the user's acknowledgement.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one ofordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be thebest mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand andappreciate the existence of variations, combinations and equivalents ofthe specific embodiments, methods, and details herein.

While the various embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed and illustrated, it will be appreciated that various changescan be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention,as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for data usage management in anelectronic device, the method comprising: tracking an estimated cost ofa download in a currency set by a user before the download; determiningthe estimated cost of the download in the currency set by the user;displaying the estimated cost of the download; determining applicationdata usage by reading consumed data usage details from at least one of aradio interface and a network interface; implementing notifications ofthe data usage; and displaying the data usage, wherein a widget or anapplication is used to display the data usage.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein determining the estimated cost of the download comprises:selecting a file to download; calculating a size of the file; readingdata cost details from a setting; and calculating an estimated cost ofthe download.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein implementingnotifications of data usage comprises: calculating a data limit for atime period; reading consumed data usage details from at least one of aradio interface and a network interface; displaying a data usagenotification, when data usage exceeds the data limit; and restrictingthe data usage, when the data usage exceeds the data limit.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the widget periodically checks for the dataconsumed on a cellular network for a given data cycle and compares theconsumed data with a data warning value.
 5. The method for of claim 4,wherein the widget applies a red circle at a calculated index, if theconsumed data exceeds from the data warning value.
 6. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the widget applies a green circle at a calculatedindex, if the consumed data does not exceed the data warning value. 7.The method of claim 1, further comprising switching data services in amulti-SIM phone from a roaming SIM to a non-roaming SIM.
 8. The methodof claim 7, wherein switching data services comprises: reading a SIMdata preference setting; checking a current data subscription SIM;switching the data services to another SIM, when the current SIM datasubscription SIM is the roaming SIM; enabling data services, when theSIM data preference setting is not the roaming SIM.
 9. A system for datausage management in an electronic device, comprising: a display unit; acost estimation unit configured to track and determine an estimated costof a download before the download; a notification generation unitconfigured to implement notifications of the data usage, when athreshold is reached; a widget configured to graphically represent thedata usage; and an application data usage unit configured to determineapplication data usage by reading consumed data usage details from atleast one of a radio interface and a network interface.
 10. The systemof claim 9, wherein the system provides an option to track and controlindividual applications to prevent a consumption of data used bybackground applications and while roaming.
 11. The system of claim 9,wherein the system provides a user with a reminder to switch to a homenetwork for data usage.
 12. The system of claim 9 further comprising ahandover unit configured to switch data services in a multi-SIM phonefrom a roaming SIM to a non-roaming SIM.